Former people

The term "Former People" (Russian: бы́вшие лю́ди, bývshiye lyúdi) refers to a social designation applied in the early Soviet Union, primarily during the 1920s, to individuals who were deemed to be members of the pre-revolutionary "exploiting classes" or who held positions associated with the Tsarist regime. This designation was not a legal category per se, but rather a term used to justify discrimination, disenfranchisement, and persecution.

The "Former People" included, but were not limited to:

• Nobility and Aristocracy: Members of the landed gentry and titled individuals.
• Clergy: Priests, monks, and other religious figures of the Russian Orthodox Church and other faiths.
• Bourgeoisie: Merchants, industrialists, and other members of the middle and upper classes engaged in private enterprise.
• Cossacks: While some Cossacks were supportive of the Bolsheviks, those associated with the Tsarist military or perceived as counter-revolutionary often faced persecution as "Former People."
• Tsarist Officials and Military Officers: Individuals who had held positions of power or rank in the Tsarist state apparatus and armed forces.
• Landowners: Individuals who owned significant tracts of land before the revolution.

The status of being a "Former Person" carried significant consequences. They faced:

• Disenfranchisement: They were denied the right to vote or hold public office.
• Restrictions on Employment: They were often barred from certain professions and faced discrimination in the workplace.
• Confiscation of Property: Their property and possessions were often confiscated by the state.
• Social Stigma: They were often ostracized by society and subjected to public ridicule.
• Increased Risk of Arrest and Imprisonment: They were more likely to be targeted by the state security apparatus.

The term "Former People" was part of a broader campaign of social engineering aimed at eliminating perceived class enemies and consolidating the power of the Bolsheviks. While the explicit use of the term diminished over time, the underlying discriminatory practices against those perceived as belonging to the "exploiting classes" persisted for many years in the Soviet Union. The designation highlights the ideological underpinnings of the early Soviet state and its commitment to creating a classless society through often brutal means.